Have you ever caught a ride in one of Singapore’s iconic yellow-top taxis? Recognized for their distinctive yellow roofs and black bodies, these cabs
Have you ever caught a ride in one of Singapore’s iconic yellow-top taxis? Recognized for their distinctive yellow roofs and black bodies, these cabs are more than just a mode of transport—they’re a slice of Singaporean history. But with only 32 left as of 2023, they’re on the path to disappearance, likely vanishing from roads entirely by 2032.
Yellow-top taxis differ from others because their drivers hold individual taxi licenses under an old scheme. These drivers fully own their vehicles, taking on the costs of COE, insurance, road tax, and maintenance. One driver, Chamkour Singh, likened owning a yellow-top to owning a home: “It’s yours, and you’re not bound to company rules.” However, every time one of these drivers retires, another yellow-top taxi disappears.
Introduced in the 1930s by Wearne Brothers, yellow-tops thrived through Singapore’s colonial era, peaking in the 1960s with 3,800 cabs. By the 1970s, however, government policy shifted, granting licenses to companies rather than individuals, marking the start of the rental model and the gradual decline of yellow-tops.
Despite their legacy, the last of these taxis will likely be gone by 2032 when the youngest driver reaches the retirement age of 75—or sooner if drivers choose early retirement. Supporters of these historical taxis hope that their unique story will be preserved, honoring their resilience through decades of change in Singapore’s taxi industry. So, if you happen upon one of these rare yellow-tops, it might be worth savoring the ride.
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